I Almost Gave Up

For Monique

We’ve known each other for almost a year,
And we get along very well at the workplace.
Considering our close, friendly relationship,
It’s odd that you haven’t spoken to me on the phone.
I wanted to know your contact number,
But I wasn’t going to ask you for it.
I felt that you’d refuse to give it to me.
How I wish I could talk to you every night.

I overheard you telling someone your phone number,
And I wrote it down for future use.
I wasn’t eavesdropping on your conversation,
So don’t get mad at me, Monique.
I shouldn’t have texted you without your permission.
You didn’t even know that I had your number,
But I went ahead and contacted you on your mobile phone.
I couldn’t tell you that I love you in person,
And I didn’t want to miss such a good opportunity.

I was a little hesitant to start an oral communication,
So I sent you a text message to say hello.
You didn’t reply to my text, and it was frustrating to me.
I was positive I had the correct number.
Therefore, I sent you another text message.
And you didn’t respond to it either.
I was bent on reaching you, so I tried again and again.
Nevertheless, I got no response from you.

I’m embarrassed to say that I almost gave up.
At that point I said to you, “I know it’s you, Monique.”
“Why aren’t you replying to my messages?”
Finally, you decided to text me back.
You said, “Hey! What’s up? I’m sorry about that.”
I retorted, “Is that all you’re going to say?”
And I began to wonder what the problem was.
You weren’t the same jovial girl who wrap with me at work.

You said only a few words and they weren’t pleasing.
It was unlike the other times we’d talked.
You spoke to me as if I were a stranger.
And I sensed that something was wrong.
I had a feeling that you didn’t want me to text you.
And I just couldn’t help saying this:
“You either don’t talk much or you don’t want to talk to me.”
I said these things as if I didn’t know you well.
You answered, “Sometimes I’m just busy.”

I told you to hug your pillow as if you were holding me.
You said nobody had told you to do that before.
I told you good night after I said I love you.
It was a relief to hear you say, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The following day you came to the office,
And I noticed your new smile the moment you saw me.
You’re such an amazing woman, Monique.
I need you, and I’m not going to give up on you easily.